Lotus Pond Chan Temple in Jinxi

Lotus Pond Chan Temple in Jinxi

Lotus Pond Chan Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Lotus Pond Chan Temple is located in Jinxi Town, Kunshan City. During the Jiatai era of the Song Dynasty, Empress Chen, consort of Emperor Xiaozong, was buried here, prompting the construction of this temple to enshrine her spirit, with monks assigned to tend the incense offerings. To the east of the temple lies a liberation pond. In the 13th year of the Shunzhi reign of the Qing Dynasty (1656 AD), Monk Tongyu (literary name Ruoshan) arrived from Shuangzhong Temple in Nanjing to Jinmu’s Lotus Pond Temple in Chen’s Tomb, becoming the founding abbot of this monastery. A local benefactor, Sun Junyuan, donated half a thousand (currency unit) for renovations. The halls, corridors, and cloisters were successively completed. A long dike was built, and a large pond excavated. Before and after, elm… (text truncated) were planted, offering great beauty. It is said: “Lotus Fragrance,” also known locally as a tribute site.

Beside the Grand Mercy Guanyin Hall and other shrines are the Altar Platform, Abbot’s Quarters, Three Officials Hall, and Crane Arrival Spot. Benjue (literary names Dayuan or Diao Xue), tonsured under Tongyu, later received full ordination at Tiantong Temple under Daoxuan. In the 16th year of the Shunzhi reign (1659 AD), he followed Daoxuan and others, returning to Chen’s Tomb Lotus Pond Temple, where he presided over its reconstruction. In the 17th year of the Shunzhi reign (1660 AD), Benjue retreated to Puzhao Pagoda Monastery on Sheshan Mountain in Songjiang. Yuanlong (literary name Mutang), who became Benjue’s disciple, resided at Ruiguang Chan Temple in Songjiang.

In the 44th year of the Kangxi reign (1705 AD), Emperor Kangxi toured the south, passing through Kunshan, Songjiang, and other areas. Yuanlong went to Huai’an to welcome the imperial entourage and was summoned for an audience, presenting the emperor with the “Praise for Longevity” and the “Painting of Eternal Life,” which deeply pleased His Majesty. Along the journey, Yuanlong spoke to the emperor about Abbot Tongyu of Chen’s Tomb Lotus Pond Temple, the founding monk, sparking the emperor’s keen interest and leading to lengthy discussions. The emperor granted him a seat, tea, and an imperial fan, the face of which bore Emperor Kangxi’s poem “Ascending Yufeng Mountain.” Upon arriving in Songjiang, the emperor again met with Yuanlong, ordered the Thirteenth Prince to offer incense at the temple, and bestowed upon Yuanlong a plaque inscribed with three characters: “Prajna Appearance,” as well as a couplet: “Though a thousand Buddhas may appear in the world, none has ever given away a single Dharma.” He also granted sutras: one volume each of the Diamond Sutra, Medicine Buddha Sutra, and Heart Sutra—all written in gold. When the emperor traveled to Zhejiang, Yuanlong welcomed him at Lin Bridge in Jiaxing, presenting further works: “Dharma Talk from the Dharma Hall” and “Poems in Thanksgiving for Imperial Grace,” as well as poems for the Thirteenth Prince, the Crown Prince. The emperor then gifted him a box of pastries and an imperial arrow, allowing him free access. When the emperor returned to Beijing, Yuanlong saw him off as far as Huguan, presenting an album of paintings titled “Painting of Eternal Life,” and accompanied him to Yangzhou and to Qingshuitan near Huai’an. There, the emperor again summoned Yuanlong to the capital. After Yuanlong arrived in Beijing, he received lavish rewards. In his later years, Yuanlong retired to Songjiang, having served as abbot of Qiandeng Yanfu Temple. He later moved to Lotus Pond Temple in memory of his master, Abbot Tongyu, spending his final years there, and passed away in the 5th year of the Yongzheng reign (1727 AD) at Lotus Pond Chan Temple.

By the 30th year of the Republic of China (1941 AD), the temple had seven monks, with Monk Zhubu as abbot. In 1952, the temple was repurposed as classrooms for Chenmu Middle School. In 1991, the middle school was relocated elsewhere, and Lotus Pond Chan Temple was rebuilt on its original site, with the main gate oriented in the same direction—as it originally faced north. To the south of the temple lies the vast Wubao Lake, within which is the “Water Tomb of Empress Chen”; to the north lies Lingtang Bay.

The temple’s main gate bears an inscription by Qi Gong: “Lotus Pond Chan Temple.” Inside the temple grounds stands the Wenchang Pavilion, with the three characters “Ancient Lotus Pond” calligraphed by artist Lu Jiaheng. To the south of the main hall stands an ancient withered cypress tree, bearing witness to over eight hundred years of history. In 2000, the Kunshan Buddhist Association applied for and received approval to rebuild the temple. The project was completed in 2001, largely restoring the original exquisite and delicate appearance of the temple. In June 2009, Lotus Pond Chan Temple came under the administration of the Buddhist Association. Nestled by the water, the temple stands gracefully, quietly cradled atop the blue waves, nestled between the divine landscape, subtly reflecting the shimmering lake and radiant hues, resembling a heavenly paradise. It adds further splendor to Jinxi, known as the “Hometown of Museums in China,” and has become a fine destination for travelers and pilgrims seeking antiquity and serenity.

Address: Within the Ancient Town Scenic Area of Jinxi, Kunshan City, Suzhou

Type: Temple

Recommended visiting time: About 0.5 hours

Ticket information:

No separate ticket required. Included in the Jinxi Ancient Town admission ticket.